“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
King James Version (KJV)
3:16 The word God is not in the original. It was omitted by the apostle just as the particular name is omitted by Mary, when she says to the gardener, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence; and by the church, when she says, Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, #So 1:2|; in both which places there is a language, a very emphatical language, even in silence. It declares how totally the thoughts were possessed by the blessed and glorious subject. It expresses also the superlative dignity and amiableness of the person meant, as though He, and He alone, was, or deserved to be, both known and admired by all. Because he laid down his life - Not merely for sinners, but for us in particular. From this truth believed, from this blessing enjoyed, the love of our brethren takes its rise, which may very justly be admitted as an evidence that our faith is no delusion.
1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God] because he laid down his life for us. The love of God in Christ is meant. His love is shown on the cross. Christ is love. And we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. If we love as he loved, we must be willing even to die for each other.